Education
Celebrating Grandparents on Grandparents Day has become a tradition for Olive Community Services. The initial celebration 3 years ago was a wonderful experience for all who attended. Events dictated that last year's celebration were conducted virtually. This year, the staff at Olive Community Services designed a hybrid event that is worth hearing about. Grandparents Day is a national holiday, signed by proclamation in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. It falls each year on the Sunday following Labor Day coming about through the unrelenting 8 year campaign from one woman, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, who hailed roots from West Virginia. He and her husband Joseph L. McQuade had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. For most of her life Marion Lucille Herridon McQuade advocated for older adults and people who were isolated in their homes, known at that time as shut ins. Her advocacy and relentless efforts were recognized and 1971 she was elected Vice-Chair of the West Virginia Committee on Aging. This was followed by her appointment as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. In 1972, Her efforts on behalf of shut-ins was successful and in President Richard Nixon proclaimed a National Shut-in Day. Mrs. McQuade continued with her service in other capacities, among them; President of the Vocational Rehabilitation Foundation, Vice-President of the West Virginia Health Systems Agency, and was appointed to the Nursing Home Licensing Board. Mrs. McQuade envisioned Grandparents Day as one in which there were family get togethers, community events, and family reunions if need be. An interesting fact is that Grandparents Day does not have an apostrophe, as Mrs. McQuade did not want the day to belong to any one person but rather a day of community celebration. She also envisioned a day of intergenerational programming, which Generations United in Washington DC encourages for the entire week following the celebration of National Grandparents Day. Grandparents Day is integral to the philosophy of Olive Community Services; Respecting and honoring the older adults and their families and their community. The celebratory event was designed to bring to life everything that Mrs. Quade envisioned it to be. Listen in to learn about the Olive Community Services Grandparents Day event and learn what you can do for the Grandparents in your family and in our community.